Archive for April, 2010

My fave moment came when Garth Hudson’s The Genetic Method morphed into Auld Lang Syne keeping the live from Lombardo to Jack Fallon to Mel-O-Denes to the Band alive. We all nodded as Garth played on … via Rock of Ages out at Winterland late in 1972, wasn’t it?

That led to a Nihilist Spasm Band interlude and me chanting The Sweetest Country This Side of Heaven, which recasts a chunk of Wild Thing by the Troggs (a hit in the summer of 1966 when the NSB was getting its patriot groove in year) as “Canada, I think I love you, but I wanna know for sure . . . Canada, hold me tight.”

Or words to that effect. Anyway.

One of my crowd-stumping questions was what was the name of the Troggs’ lead singer . . . Reg Presley, I intoned, & following the lead of Simon Frith said that was the perfect name for a British Invasion star.

Then, going out on a limb, I said I thought it was actually his real name.

Which is wasn’t. Reg Presley appears to have been born Reginald Maurice Ball.

Which is a cool name, too.

Like the Bev Bevan mention elsewhere on the blog, no wonder I stump the experts when it comes to this British Invasion trivia.

Waiting for Chloe at the Hyland, must see must see must see Raised by Swans on big screen.

Meanwhile, She’s Out of My League (Western Film at Wesanne McKellar room (Tuesday), funny, sharper than we expected & the first date is a Pens-Isles game. (Kathy Rumleski, fellow blogger, pls. note Isles lose.) No mention of Steelers as far as I recall in Pittsburghcentric flick.

Then on Wednesday, 10 Days Across Canada . . . at Silver City. Best moments v. good. Uneven & some interviews & bits didn’t work . . . but those that did (McGuinty on backyard pool rink!!! quelle surprise, Natalie MacMaster recognizing the name of host Jamie Carr’s father & the musicians in St. John’s . . . fantastic! Plus gorgeous Geri Hall going a little crazed at the Bata shoe museum. Hot plus laughs. An unbeatable combination.

Carr was really good at holding it together & the Earle-Burelle team proved up to the incredible journey . . . I wish you guys bette, hipper transitions, a few edits here & there & keep rawkin . . . “freedom” is the Canadian word, eh? Not bad, I heard “health care” a bunch of times from your interviewees as well.

Here is the media release word . . . .

SYNOPSIS

10 Days Across Canada takes a 4-person camera crew across Canada over a
10-day period interviewing Canadians from coast to coast and asking
them “What does it mean to be Canadian”? The film includes appearances
by astronaut Marc Garneau, actresses Geri Hall and Sheila McCarthy,
Hall of Famers Doug Gilmour and Lui Passaglia and musical artist
Natalie MacMaster – among others.

FULL MEDIA RELEASE

10 Days Across Canada is the name of Fishrizzo Productions? 4th
feature length film ? it also describes the shooting schedule for
this film that explores ?What it means to be Canadian?.

Over a 10 day period in September 2009, four filmmakers departed
Cornwall, Ontario and managed to travel through 10 provinces and 3
territories. During their journey, they met celebrities and scores of
everyday Canadians ? from dog sledders in the North to CFL
footballers in the West to native leaders in the East.

(Here’s what our corp QMI ally in Cornwall sent our way before Wednesday’s 1 shot only screening)

On the heels of tremendous success for the premieres of 10 Days Across Canada in both Toronto and their hometown of Cornwall, filmmakers John Earle and Frank Burelle are eagerly looking forward to its opening in London and 15 other cities across Canada Wednesday.
“It’s going to be great,” Earle said.
The film will be only shown once in limited Cineplex theatres including London’s Silver City Wednesday at 7 p.m.
It was last year at this time that Fishrizzo Productions team of Earle (director/editor) and Burelle (director/cinematographer) began exploring the possibilities for 10 Days Across Canada, a frantic traipse across the country in search of what it means to be Canadian.
The film was shot last September along with longtime collaborator Ron Piquette and host Jamie Carr.
The movie includes appearances by former governor general Adrienne Clarkson, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, astronaut Marc Garneau, actress Geri Hall, and comedians Rick Green and Sean Cullen, to name just a few, as well as everyday Canadians.

What took me so long to meet Orlando Valencia and his Pachanga Latin band — they’re great.

Orlando Sr. and his sons Orlando Jr. (singing in the video) and Manuel (percussionist) welcomed colleagues Mike Knoll and Derek Ruttan into the family’s home . . . we were all knocked out. The song title translates as Taste of Me. I was reluctant to say that on the video. Ah well.

One thing I didn’t mention is that Manuel, a Fanshawe grad, mentioned Tito Puente and Giovanni Hidalgo as percussionists who have inspired him. Done.

Pachanga is all good . . . & the Orchestra London concert on Sunday is sure to be hothothot.

I am sure that one of Fred Robinson’s groups did a song about Exeter’s White Squirrels & regret not getting on the case about this excellent lineup myself.

Fortunately, Dave O’Halloran has provided all this good stuff. Thanks, Dave.

The headliners are a Toronto based band called The Legendary Dirt Bikers and feature former UIC guitarist Fred Robinson. UIC started out in Exeter On back in about 81 and used to play London quite regularly at places like Fryfogles, Victoria, Call The Office, Key West and many other long forgotten clubs. They moved to Toronto in about 86 and developed a fairly good following there, releasing 3 albums and appearing on many compilations including some of the legendary It Came From Canada (OG Records) volumes. After UIC packed it in, Fred played in a number of bands, the most noteworthy being The Chickens, featuring 3 other former members of UIC. As The Chickens they released 2 CD’s and placed 2nd in Little Steven’s North American battle of the garage bands a few years back. After the demise of The Chickens, Fred played in Holy Microphone (releasing one CD) for awhile and that band has merged into The Legendary Dirt Bikers. They are about to release their first 7″ and play fairly regularly in Toronto, quite often at Fred’s club, Mitzi’s Sister.
Also on the bill is a brand new London band called The Oily Birds. This band features vocalist/guitarist Jon Traut who spent several years in Boy From Nowhere, a London based garage/blues band from the 80′s who made it to vinyl a few years back appearing on the Greek compilation album Thee Cave Comes Alive (one other London band appeared on that reord, The Legend Killers). The Oily Birds also features bassist/guitarist Bryan MacDonald who has played in many London bands, including The Legend Killers, The Evil Hoodoos, Young Fast & Scientific and along with Jon in B5 Blues.
Also on the bill, from Toronto, The Bon who have just released their first 7″. The Bon features Toronto garage band legend Craig Daniels who has played in such bands as The Leather Uppers, Tijuana Bibles, The Exploders, The Stinkies and others, all of which have released records and CD’s. The most noteworthy of those bands would be The Leather Uppers, one of the early 2 piece bands (circa 1990) who actually played their first show outside of Toronto at The Brunswick here in London…unfortunately they didn’t go over well, and were asked to leave after playing only the friday night of their weekend engagement. I was there and have an audio tape to prove it…LOL…remember, this was long before the acceptance of bands like The White Stripes.
Last, but certainly not least are The Speaking Tongues from Toronto. A dynamic 2 piece blues/garage/rock combo who have played London several times and always put on a killer show. They have released 1 CD and just recently a split 7″ with Detroit based Rue Moor Counts.
4 bands for a measly $6 at Call The Office on Friday Apr 30th. The first band goes on a

About James Reaney

James Reaney has covered everything from operas to Neil Young concerts to baseball's World Series in more than 30 years at The London Free Press. Now, he concentrates on London entertainment in his Saturday Today section column and Forest City lore in a Saturday Comment section column called My London. He is the host of two weekly video. lfpress.com features. One is Reaney's Pick, an online platform for London performers. The other is It's On, a guide to the best of the local scene.

James is a passionate supporter of the Jack Richardson Music Awards, the host of an annual gala and other free events in London's only not-for-profit recognition of our musical excellence. He is also on the board of the King's University College Centre for Creativity and an active member of the London & Middlesex Historical Society.

James Reaney has covered everything from operas to Neil Young concerts to baseball's World Series in more than 25 years at The London Free Press. How, he concentrates on London entertainment in his Saturday Today section column and Forest City lore in Thursday's My London column on Page A2. He is the host of two weekly lfpress.com videos, Reaney's Pick, a one-take vehicle for London performers, and It's On, a guide to the best of the local scene.

James is a member of the Jack Richardson Music Awards steering committee, helping to bring about an annual gala and other free events in London's only not-for-profit recognition of our musical excellence. He is also on the board of the King's University College Centre for Creativity and an active member of the London and Middlesex Historical Society.